We are just a couple of months away from reaching the birth centenary of O P Nayyar. As we continue the celebrations, today let’s visit one of the prominent playback singers associated with him. Geeta Dutt – O P Nayyar is an eternal combination. She sang a few of her best songs under his baton and was his preferred voice in the early 50s. Of course, Shamshad Begum and Asha Bhosle were also offered songs in that era.
Today to commemorate Geeta Dutt’s birth anniversary, let’s visit her association with Nayyar.
Image Coutesy – geetadutt.com
Geeta Dutt was a part of his first film, Aasman (1952) and her last song for him was in 1958.
During her association with O P Nayyar, she sang a total of 62 songs in 22 films, with very simple statistics.
35 solos
27 Duets –
22 with Rafi
5 with Asha Bhosle
This includes the song, ‘Mohabbat Kar Lo Jee Bhar Lo’, which was a trio in the film version.
Geeta Dutt made her debut in 1946 and with her songs in Do Bhai (1947), she achieved fame and popularity. Very soon she was among the top female playback singers of Hindi cinema. So she was already an established singer when Nayyar made his debut in Hindi films.
Let’s start the list with their first film. As I’m not going to repeat the previously posted songs, I’ll go for,
1. Pom Pom Pom Baaja Bole – Aasman (1952) with Chorus / Lyrics by Prem Dhawan
The enchanting opening music of this song is my mobile ringtone. It’s so engrossing! Geeta Dutt sang four solos in the movie. This seems to be a birthday party song. The lady is singing for the birthday boy. It is said that Geeta Dutt was highly impressed with the tunes.
Impressed, Geeta Dutt, recommended him to Guru Dutt, who was planning Baaz. It was his first film with Guru Dutt and the association continued till the late 50s.
2. Ae Dil Ae Deewane – Baaz (1953) / Lyrics by Majrooh
The film saw her singing as much as 6 solos. It was difficult for me to rate one song over the other, so finally I chose the one which according to me was the most popular song. Geeta Dutt sang songs of various moods in the film, from romantic, seductive to patriotic. She sang for the heroine, Geeta Bali as well as for Kuldeep Kaur.
The film Baaz wasn’t a box office success and O P Nayyar, disheartened by the failure of his initial films, was about to pack bags. It is said that he went to Guru Dutt to get money he owed. The latter wasn’t either in good financial state and he instead offered him his next venture, which was under his own production house. Geeta Dutt also supported the selection. The film turned out to be a huge box office success, strengthening the positions of both Guru Dutt and Nayyar. Geeta Dutt was obviously chosen as the main female singer, who sang for both Shyama and Shakeela. In addition , she also sang for Noor. Let’s listen to a couple of songs from the movie.
3. Hoon Abhi Main Jawan – Aar Paar (1954) / Lyrics by Majrooh
I think it’s one of the underrated songs. Shakeela plays a dancer, a vampish character! The song conveys the conflict in her mind. She’s in love with the hero, but is sure she can’t get his love. Her’s will be love in vain. The song has beautiful accordion pieces, which Shakeela plays on screen, at least in the beginning. Geeta Dutt captures the perfect mood of a drunken lady.
4. Ja Ja Ja Ja Bewafa – Aar Paar (1954) / Lyrics by Majrooh
Geetw Dutt sang the playful, Sun Sun Sun Sun Zalima and the mischievous, Yeh Lo Main Haari Piya for Shyama in this film. This soulful sad song perhaps never gets highlighted, though it’s equally wonderful. Shyama sings it in a gloomy mood, she sounds heartbroken.
It was obvious that Nayyar was chosen again by Guru Dutt for his next film, which was again a box office success. Madhubala and Guru Dutt starrer, Mr & Mrs 55 (1955), had a number of popular songs and as the main female singer, Geeta Dutt had an opportunity to sing majority of the songs for the movie.
5. Thandi Hawa Kala Ghata – Mr & Mrs 55 (1955) with Chorus / Lyrics by Majrooh
A beautiful composition, very playful and light hearted! A gorgeous Madhubala sings it merrily along a poolside with her friends with cute umbrellas in their hands. Geeta Dutt’s voice exudes enthusiasm and vigour that changes to shy happiness as she sings her feelings out.
6. Chale Diye Banda Nawaz – Mr & Mrs 55 (1955) with Rafi / Lyrics by Majrooh
If Geeta Dutt was cute and shy in the previous song, here her expressions change to anger and irritation in this one. Madhubala, looking beautifully charming in that red attire, is angry with Guru Dutt, who tries to coax her, maintaining a touch of naughtiness to his say. Both the singers do a fantastic job. This lovely duet is perhaps not as popular as the other duets from this movie.
The same year also saw her singing for Nayyar in the film Musafirkhana. But now Asha Bhosle shared the songs with her and only a couple of songs were offered to Geeta Dutt.
In 1956, Geeta Dutt sang for 4 films under Nayyar’s baton and had a good share of songs. We will enjoy one song each from 3 of those films.
7. Tumhi Ne Dard Diya Hai – Chhoo Mantar (1956) with Rafi / Lyrics by Jaan Nisar Akhtar
I think the Rafi solo version of this song is more popular. It was not added on the Rafi and Nayyar list, as the duet version was reserved for this list. It’s a very short song, just short of 2 minutes. I think the audio version of the song has both parts combined into one. I guess, the duet version is essentially the last two verses of the original song. In the film as well, both versions appear just a few minutes apart. It’s picturised on Johnny Walker and Anita Guha. I think it’s the most well known song from the movie and hence the most popular one as well.
8. Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein – CID (1956) with Rafi / Lyrics by Jaan Nisar Akhtar
Geeta Dutt has three songs in the movie, including a solo (which was later removed from the movie) and a couple of duets with Rafi. The one picturised on Johnny Walker and Kumkum is already covered. It’s time now for the other duet, picturised on the main lead, Dev Anand and Shakeela. It’s in a way a different song, as the verses are solely sung by Geeta Dutt, while Rafi sings only the mukhda.
9. Yahan Hum Wahan Tum – Shreemati 420 (1956) with Rafi / Lyrics by Jaan Nisar Akhtar
Shreemati 420 was produced and directed by G P Sippy. Meena Shorey, Johnny Walker, Om Prakash, Helen were the prominent actors in the movie. This beautiful romantic duet has the typical touch of the 50s. Though I was not much familiar with all the songs of the movie, this is the one I really enjoyed.
In the coming years, her position in Nayyar’s musical team was somewhat secondary, as Asha Bhosle was now his preferred female singer for the movies and the grand success of Naya Daur (1957) further potentiated their association.
It was during these years that Geeta Dutt’s personal problems had a deep impact on her career. It’s said that she was not available for rehearsals and always used to be in a hurry to get back home. Slowly her assignments dropped down. She sang 9 songs for Nayyar this year, including just a couple of solos. Let’s enjoy three songs from the year.
10. Jahan Jahan Khayal Jata Hai – Bade Sarkar (1957) with Rafi / Lyrics by Sahir
In the 50s, when 7 to 10 songs were usual, this film had only 4 songs. Out of that, 3 were solos by Asha Bhosle. The remaining one was this duet mainly picturised on Agha and Vijayalakshmi. But Kamini Kaushal and Kishor Sahu, who played the main lead, Sajjan and a very young Vijaya Choudhary could be seen.
11. Bachke Balam – Johnny Walker (1957) with Rafi / Lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri
My most favourite song from the movie is the lovely duet by Asha Bhosle and Geeta Dutt, Thandi Thandi Hawa, which was a part of the first post in the series. Geeta Dutt had three duets in this movie, one with Rafi and others with Asha Bhosle. The song is picturised on Shyama and Johnny Walker. The song is fun to watch.
12. Chor Lutere Daaku – Ustad (1957) / Lyrics by Jaan Nisar Akhtar
Geeta Dutt had a couple of songs in this Ashok Kumar and Anjali starrer movie. A duet with Rafi and this wonderful solo. Though not very popular, it’s interesting to listen to. The tune of the mukhda is excellent.
1958 was the last year of her association with O P Nayyar with a total of ten songs. She sang five songs for Pramod Chakraborty’s 12 O’ Clock and then there was the most popular Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo from Howrah Bridge. Even if the songs were successful, Geeta Dutt wasn’t offered songs thereafter.
13. Tum Jo Hue Mere Humsafar – 12 O’Clock (1958) with Rafi / Lyrics by Majrooh
The song has a waltz rhythm and the captivating melody just flows softly. The film also has a few more popular and wonderful songs including the beautiful solo, Kaisa Jaadu Balam Tune Daara.
14. Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo – Howrah Bridge (1958) / Lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi
While Asha Bhosle sang for Madhubala in this movie, this rock n roll number picturised on the beautiful Helen was sung by Geeta Dutt, her only song for the movie. And she could make an imprint with just one song! One of her most popular songs with Nayyar, the club dance also featured the talented choreographer, Surya Kumar.
15. Sun Sun Madras Ki Chhori – Mujrim (1958) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by Majrooh
And to end the list let’s have one of her duets with Asha Bhosle. Mujrim was mainly offered to Asha Bhosle, Geeta Dutt sang just a couple of songs. A solo dance performance picturised on Geeta Bali and this wonderful duet, again a dance performance on stage. Picturised on the pair of real life sisters, Geeta Dutt sang for Ragini while Asha Bhosle sang for the Punjabi munda played by Padmini. The song has a typical Punjabi touch and the interludes sound quite similar to Ude Jab Jab Zulfen Teri.
It was in the 60s, her assignments were still lesser than in the late 50s. It was sometime around the mid 60s that O P Nayyar received a telephone call from Geeta Dutt saying “Aap To Mujhe Bhool Hi Gaye”. And Nayyar was dumbfounded, unable to say anything in his defence. Geeta Dutt was the one who actually helped him out in his struggling days and he ought to have remembered that. But he was unable to offer her songs, perhaps due to his personal relationship with Asha Bhosle. And it is said that the guilt remained in his mind for the rest of his life.
Here I end my list. I’ve covered almost one quarter of her songs with O P Nayyar. Now I request you to add your favourites if you haven’t found them on the list.
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
